Friday, October 23, 1998

I love copying a $200 piece and making my own, but better, for less than $20.

I love New York City so much we got married there.

I love painting walls, furniture, the cat -- if it makes the cat look better.

I love NKOTB.

I love God and thank him daily for this life I lead.

I love you all for reading my goofiness.

And most of all, I love my husband and children, for their complete support, love and understanding (especially when it comes to NKOTB).

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I started this blog because I believe anyone and everyone should have a home they love, even though they may not have much to spend on it. You can have a lovely home without spending a ton of money.Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Creativity has always been in my blood -- my family is full of artistic talents, builders and writers. I first dreamed of being an interior designer when I was 13 years old. That was after my teacher stage and before my decision to follow a career in writing.

My degrees are in journalism and public relations, and I enjoyed a ten year career in this field. Along the way, I loved decorating our home and helping friends with theirs. When I had our son seven years ago I was inspired by him. He made me want to follow my dreams.

So that I did. My wonderful husband supported me when I decided to quit my full time job and pursue my dream of interior decorating. I started working with a local design firm part time -- first as the owner's assistant, then as a decorator.

I loved that work -- it woke my creative juices even more and I love helping people make their homes more beautiful. But as this blog grew and grew, I knew my heart was here. Since mid-2009 I have focused completely on Thrifty Decor Chick and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is has been a blessing -- this blog, the people I have met because of it, and the inspiration I get from my readers.

If this is your first time to TDC, you can check out some pics of our home here.

76 comments:

I love that your story is on here! I actually was curious how you got started. I LOVE the new website, so easy to get around and look at everything. I love coming and looking on this and always learn something new! Thank you!

Love so many of your ideas, and can also relate to many. I too, am addicted to spray paint. And if it sits still for too long, it just might get painted black. I was curious to know where you're located. I've been to my GW, and never seem to find the great items like you. Just wondering if it's a local thing. BTW, I'm in Atlanta. Thanks again for sharing all your wisdom!!

Just browsing around your new blog! It's fantastic! (Isn't Shannon the best!?) Also, it was a treat to read how you got started in this awesome biz. Thanks for sharing your talents with all of us out here in blogland!

I added yours to our list of favorite blogs. Can't wait to see what you blog about next!

OMG...what is it with NKOTB?!?!?! My daughter has been to see them in concert twice this past year...her addiction started when she was 9 and she's now 27!!! Love your blog and really great ideas...can't wait to read backlog of posts and glean some new ideas!

Hi Sarah, I've been praying to God for wisdom on how to make my home clutter-free and how to improve on its decor. I truly believe He has led me to this blog! I chanced upon this blog some weeks ago and have been visiting it almost everyday ! Just wanna let you know, I love it ! Patricia (Singapore)

First let me thank my cousin in law cause she introduced me to this page. It is officially my new addiction, in addition to NKOTB! You have open a whole new world for me. I love to take goodwill furniture and primitize it to the max! My pour hubby has no idea what I have in store for him after seeing this blog! Keep it coming you ROCK STAR!!! Woo Hoo!

I don't have a blog, but have loved reading yours for about a year.. One day I typed in budget decorating blogs, and a whole new world opened to me... I am looking forward to your new '10 posts, and learning from them. I am a budget decorator, love re purposing and think your awesome! Keep up the good work.

I soooooo lurve your page! And this brought me happiness:I love NKOTB. I love God for this life I lead. I love you all for reading my goofiness. And most of all, I love my husband and children, for their complete support, love and understanding NKOTB!This ROCKS!thx again

I just found you! I'm so excited to get working on my home. My mantel is in serious need of some attention (the good kind) and I was thrilled to see your entry all about mantel's. I can't wait to read the rest of your stuff.

I've recently discovered your blog and love it! You've really inspired me to take a look at my home and what I have to decorate with and make the most of it! Thank you so much! Also, your bio is really sweet and I love that you love NKOTB, proudly :) Your blog definitely has the "right stuff" :) LOL

As a brand new homeowner I eagerly logged on to the Rate My Space website to find "inspiration" for my own home which is where I first came across your decorating skills and gorgeous roman shades! A year later, while browsing hrough home decor blogs I came across a roman shade tutorial and recongized that magnificant fabric! I am so excited you began a blog and look forward to reading about your many talented home decor tips/ideas! Thank you for inspiring me to continue my passion of decorating.

i just stumbled upon ur blog and absolutely love it along with ur story. It is so very real and amazing that u took a chance and are following ur passion. We just bought a new house and I feel lost. Looking for inspiration here! Can't wait to read more :)

I hate to start this off in a sad way but I have been in mourning for a long time now after my best friend past away. Sincethen I lost interest in almost everything and no matter how hard I tried I could not find the inspiration I once found in every corner I truned daily. Until oday... Wow! I got on line today and googled: thrifty blogs and there you were! I am so happy to have found you and love-love-love your blog! I could not stop reading and searching and so on... Thank you for sharing your inspirations and great finds! Once I get out of this office I am heading to the thrift store to finish decorating my craft room that has been sitting in limbo for months! Congrats to YOU on a job well done!!!

We've had our faucet with the pull out spray for about 7-8 yrs. & have never had one minute's problem with it. It is so convenient! The model we have converts from regular flow to spray with the push of a button. Great for washing fruits and veggies! The flow is controlled by the water lever where you turn it on and off. A special feature that I like is the soap dispenser where the spray nozzle would typically be located next to the faucet. I fill it with hand soap and am so glad we have it. My experience with this pull-out system has been wonderful. I wouldn't want any other style.:)

I want to thank you for such a great blog. Yours is the one blog that I faithfully follow. I could sit all day long and look at things you have accomplished. You are so inspiring, with so many good ideas. I just started my blog, but I dont have any followers yet. I really like the newest post- comment love. I know your suggestions will really help my blog to get some traffic into it. Thanks so much, keep up the good work.

I have just started reading your blog. It is soooo funny! I laugh out loud as I read it and my husband and kids think I am crazy. Hopefully, I will be inspired to create something in my 'free' time. Ahaaaa haaaa! Well, at least I can dream!

Hi Sarah! I'm a new-to-the-blogging-world gal, and in my journeys tonight, I happily stumbled upon your blog! GOOD JOB!

I too am a big believer in making your house (or apartment in my case) your home, no matter how much ya got! Me boyfriend and I are big *side of the road* decorators, and like you said, I think a space can be all the more beautiful because of it!

Props to you for standing by your suburb-ian roots! It's all too often that people get affected by others opinions on where they live and what they love, and forget how much of their home contributes to who they are. I come from a town of company houses and shanties, and that is ok by me :)

Looking forward to following you! Thanks for adding your touch to the blogosphere!

Ok. The Google gods were definitely shining down on me today! I was a little bored at work (big surprise, huh?), so I googled "cheap fall wreath" and I wound up on your blog. 45 MINUTES LATER, I've learned more about thrifty decorating than I've ever known! And I absolutely LOVE IT!!! Thank you so much for all the information you post. You've earned a loyal follower today :)

I absolutely love, love, love your blog. I first came across your site through Centsational Girl and was shocked over a month later to see your blog on the Nate Berkus show. You are such an inspiration!

I love your blog! Our family of 4 just moved into a small box 4 months ago and I desperately need to make it feel like home to my 5 & 8 year old children. I NEED your ideas, especially the THRIFTY ones!!! Your style is exactly what I want in my house! Thank you so much!

Hi Sarah,I am glad that I found your blog when I googled lamp shades. Your ideas are great!I have an old chandelier that I would like to bring to life with a new shade. It is 24" and to order a shade it will cost me at least $180. Where can I find a lamp shade with that size cheaper?Also, when shopping at Jo-Anne's store, I found these wooden rings for needle point and I thought maybe I can buy the fabric and wrap it around the two circular rings and find the interior ring part to make my shade. Any ideas about who might sell the fabric or the components?Thanks,Riba

I just wanted to let you know that I ran across your blog as I was looking for home decor blogs and I love it. You have inspired me!!! I make and sell Alphabet Photo Art and Precious Pedestals. I have also just started a blog. It leaves alot to be desired right now, but you have to start somewhere right? All that to say your blog has inspired me and I will be following you. Keep up the great work!

Hi, I was googling ideas how to make an unfinished basement look good when I bumped into your website. I like what you did to your basement, I think I will do just the same, because I dont really want to spend a lot of money. I read your about me page, that is so cool. I've heard few stories like yours, they quit their full time job to follow their dreams, I think thats real courage! I hope one day soon, I'll find my courage somewhere to just do my dreams too like you!

Sarah,I've followed your blog for awhile now and I don't think I've ever posted any comments. You are a wonderful and inspiring woman. Love your story, your insight, and vision in design and making magic happen. Thank you for what you do soooo very well. ~Jil~p.s.: Love the "Lurve" and "Purtay" :)

I love your kitchen and the beadboard island. I have similar, but with Home Depot copper tin tiles for backsplash. Very warm. Island is painted (again) pesto green and now will be beefed up with corbels and a new top, thanks to you. Have you seen the use of beadboard on soffits above kitchen cabinets? I saw this once and it was a neat look, but I wonder if it would be too much with the beadboard island. What do think? Luuuuuuuuurve your style!

Hi Sarah!I found you while searching for ideas to build a headboard, please don't tell my buddies I'm lurking around your site!!! Great ideas and incentive to give stuff a try. We just moved into the house I grew up in, twenty six years later! It needs lots of work, but it's turning out to be really cool. We, (my wife and family)have been wealthy business owners, corporate suits and flat broke and are finding that happiness is not about the balance in your checkbook, ($8.72) or the crowd at your dinner party, (from LA/NY chic to family and friends that really care about you). Thanks for all the ideas and good luck with yor site!!!

I found your blog today and have done no workat all - just been engrossed in all your posts! I showed my husband the book nook and he LOVED it! We will definitely be copying that idea in our place! We're in the middle of renovating an old stone bakery in Gloucestershire, England so coming across ideas like yours are wonderful! Thank you for keeping me so entertained today! (And I suspect for many days to come!)

Hi Sarah, I started reading your blog few weeks ago. I must say, I love your blog, and your writings, and your home, your decor tips, and everything. hehe :DI can't wait till I got my own place and decorate it the way i want it (the side effects of reading your blog), because i'm still in college yeaars.Keep writing, lovely. Take care ;))

I am anxious to get to know this site! Got it on Nate Berkus show too. I also love thrift stores and GW. Have not been lucky enough to find the treasures Like you did. Will love to use your great advice!!!

LoL it was a nice surprise stumbling across your page while I was searching for ways to make a homemade wreath. You have some awesome ideas! And NKOTB rocks! God bless and I look forward to all your future ideas so I can "borrow" them :-P

I read about your floors and say you say Indiana - hey I live there too! I am in the Indy area, I wnder if you are close to me (but not too close - I don't want you to beat me to the Goodwill stores, lol!.

I LOVE your blog!! I ran across it while trying to find easy Halloween crafts for my daughter's 2nd grade class (now that's a stretch!), and I'm so glad I found it! You sense of style is beautiful, your decorating ideas are awesome and inspiring. Fall is my favorite season, but I love Christmas too, and can't wait to see your ideas for the season. Thanks for sharing!

Just stumbled across your blog and love it! Good luck with your career and all that lies ahead for you! You are exactly what our world needs... Happy, caring, funky, creative and fair minded! There's more, but the well roundedness you represent is awesome. Thank you for the totally positive reading!

I just found your blog...it's great. My husband and I bought our first home last summer and we are on a very tight budget. We love God and I have to admit it, NKOTB are my guilty pleasure (saw them with BSB twice this past summer). I can't wait to read more :)

Love your blog, Sarah! I really appreciated your posts on picking out a couch. I'm currently on the hunt and would love to check out Arhaus. Apparently they don't have stores in Texas and I was just wondering if you went to an actual Arhaus store or if other stores carry their products? Thanks so much in advance!

I know I'm not original here but......I am 37-years-old and I LOVE NKOTB!!!! My sister and I actually had a frantic day recently of trying to figure out how we could afford and logistically pull-off a NYC trip for NYE to go to ther party!!! Sadly....it's a no-go but we're hoping that the high from their NKOTBSB concert this last summer will keep us going. ;) I just found your blog and love it so much. Thanks for being a designer I might actually be able to emulate! :)

I have juststarted reading your blog and wanted to tell you how awesome it is. I have not had time to look at the whole site but what I have seen is very original creative and pulls me in. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us and you have gained another loyal reader...

I love your blog, your home, your ideas, your pins on Pinterest - so much inspiration!!! I've never thought of myself as crafty, but that's changing! I even started a little blog about adventure - I'm new to Blogland and had no idea what I was missing!

Just wanted to stop by, say hello and tell you how much I enjoy your work & finds!

Looooove your blog! I think somehow we might share the same brain. As I was reading something you wrote, my husband said "that sounds like something YOU would say". MJ - YES. NKOTB - heck YES!! I enjoy putting emphasis into writing because it ROCKS and so do you. :]

Really enjoy your blog and thank you for helping me to convince my husband that I TOO can make this house better. He never believes it won't cost a fortune until I just do it.

BTW, I did the same thing with my bathroom - started a little something and just TORE IT APART. I go all the way or no way. [maybe it is the ADHD]. :]

Hi Sarah. I "luurve" your site - found it today and would love you to come over for a cup of tea and brains storm the wonders of a great lamp. Problem is, i live in australia - bit far for a cuppa. Totally like minds i think, constantly rearranging stuff i already have and picked up the best turquoise bird at the op shop yesterday. a cheap lift!! have been on your site for almost 2 hours, need to get off and feed my family. i too suffer from DOCD, dabilitating but energising no?? Cheers from down under, Sarah :)

Hey Sarah -I'm also a Sarah! :) I've been reading your site for over a year but never left a comment. You're on the list of ladies who have inspired me to stop doing just what's in front of me and start doing what I love. Thanks for doing what you do, you make a difference!

I'm kinda new here and wanted to say you have a beautiful home. I LIVE to go to thrift stores and I'm fortunate to live in a town with many thrift stores, estate sales (that sounds baaaad), garage sales, etc..

Your blog is awesome and so informative! I cant believe your creative ideas; they keep coming and on the cheap , my favorite. I love your coral tablescape as coral is one of my favorite colors to wear and decorate with; I'm a beach girl even though theres is none in St Louis!

I don't know you of course, but ran into your blog and I love procrastinating/dreaming here! Thanks for all of your ideas and great photos. It really is inspiring! Too bad you can't come to my house and give me ideas and then go to the thrift store and shop for me! Oh well...I'll have to pretend to look through your eyes when I'm there ;)

Hello Sarah, OMG I always read you blogs, but never actually took the time to read your profile. You are so cute!! : ) keep up the good work. Im sure you have inspire many women to start their own blog including me. Thanks for always sharing your heart and home with us.

thank you for tellin me how to do short curtain rods. I do not like a rod all the way accross the window. I have been looking and couldn't find them at all. Can't wait to get started on my diy project!

I just came across your blog today. I'm not much of a DIY person, but I'm thinking about trying to make a bench and I think your blog will be helpful. Also, I love that you love NKOTB. I love them too!

Hi there Sarah! I've been lurking around your site lately...it's fabulous! After reading your "about this chick" page, I want to thank you for sharing your story. It takes a lot of courage and determination to follow your dreams and do what you love when you're not certain what the outcome will be. You're an inspiration and I'll be sure to drop back in and visit often. Cheers, Denise

Hi Sarah! Just want you to know that your blog is an inspiration to me. I have been wanting to start blogging for quite some time but am just always so busy.My husband and I own a Bed & Breakfast so I don't have much spare time at all! I have decided that I am going to give it my best effort this winter while I have some down time.

Was recently watching a rerun of an old Nate Berkus show - (gadzooks, WHY isn't he still on? -- I miss his show so much!! - and heard mention of your blog and visited literally the moment his show was over. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED it - and I'm so impressed with you!! I too adore GW, love to repurpose, live to chase the thrifty, visit yard sales - (actually, ANY sales) - as often as possible and make my home - continually - new, different and most importantly, my sanctuary! (Plus, I love NKOTB and used to live practically next door to them in the earliest days of their careers)! So glad I found you!!

If you have a specific question, make sure I can answer you back by adding your email to your google/blog account! And be sure to check out the FAQs tab at the top of the site. Due to the number of emails I get, I just can't get back to everyone.